Yes, kale has a good publicist, but it can stand up to its claims. Kale is high in vitamin C, calcium, and potassium. It might even give you rose-colored glasses: A 2013 study by Harvard researchers found a strong association between participants’ levels of optimism and their levels of carotenoid antioxidants (found in green and […]

by Leslie Cerier Cooking with leafy greens is quick and delicious, and, when it comes to nutrition, greens are superstars. They’re anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, help prevent certain cancers, enhance vision, and are high in fiber and low in calories. Rich in antioxidants and minerals, including calcium and iron, greens such as kale, mustard greens, collards, spinach, […]

By Reyna Eisenstark One Saturday morning not long ago, I was eating a toasted sesame bagel with butter and a big mug of coffee, when suddenly it occurred to me that maybe I was doing everything all wrong. This was the sort of ordinary breakfast that everyone used to eat, but now the idea of […]

Summer is perfect for opening our senses to all that’s fresh and local. Choosing produce grown close to home yields great taste, supports your community’s farmers and economy, and cultivates a more direct connection to the earth. Nothing is more local than the herbs and greens you grow yourself. Greens are chock full of phytonutrients, plant compounds that provide a range of anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits, as well as support the body’s natural detoxification process. Even if you’re not a gardener, you can still get a huge nutritional bang for your effort-filled buck by planting a few parsley, cilantro, or basil seeds in a window box.

Scientists are learning more about the power of phytonutrients every day. A single piece of fruit or serving of vegetable may contain hundreds or even thousands of different kinds, and the complex phytonutrient profiles of simple-seeming plants reminds us of the complexity of nature and of life itself. The role these nutrients play in health—if and how they synergize with other nutrients, and the interplay between them and our environments and lifestyle choices—are all active areas of research.

It’s clear that scientists are discovering what yogis have known all along: Fresh, local herbs and produce carry the essence of health. Let’s enjoy the taste of what summer offers us now.

It’s the organ we associate with love. It’s the organ whose beats keep us alive. Let’s face it: the heart is pretty important. And yet more people die from heart disease in the United States than from anything else.

Proper nutrition and exercise are widely known to prevent and reverse the ubiquitous national disease, but social connectivity might play more of a role in protecting that mega-important organ than you think. “A connected life with supportive individuals can literally save your life,” says Lisa Nelson, MD, Healthy Living Director of Medical Education at Kripalu.

Whether you draw comfort from a loving family, a caring circle of friends, a religious group, or a supportive therapist, social connections reduce stress, which contributes to cardiovascular disease. In fact, studies have shown that people who participate in community or religious groups fare better after a heart attack than those who don’t. “It’s not just about taking your medication,” says Lisa. “When you spend time with someone you care about, you relax. Blood pressure, respiratory rate, and heart rate all go down.”